Shoe tree



March 20, 1945.

G. R. HARRISON 2,371,690

SHOE TREE Filed April 13, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR.

Gaga/ye HfidrrZsa/z March 20, 1945.

G. R. HARRISON 2,371,690

SHOE TREE Filed April 15, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR. eor ge 72 Harris Patented Mar. 20, 1945 omreo STATE s rarer-s r omcs SHOE "IREE' George R. Harrison, Detroit; Mich. Application April 13, 1944, Serial No. 530,831,

1 Claims. (01. 12-.-12's.e)

nisrfi and the two halves of the forward part being such as to cause the two halves of the forward part to be eXpanded within the corresponding portion of a shoe'when applied thereto and to permit such halvesto adjust themselves in such a manner and to such an extent asto substantially fully and evenly fill the associated portion of the shoe;-the provision of a construction as above described in which the connection between the expanding mechanism and the two halves of the forward part of the shoe tree ef fects a positive lateral expansion of the two halves when pressed home in a shoe; the provision of a construction as above described in which the con-' nection between the forward end of the expanding' mechanism and the two halvesof the forward part of the shoe tree not only serves to spread the two halves of theforward part but-"totpermit them to swivel independently of one another and with respect to their connection with the expanding mechanism to permit them to auto matically adjust themselves to the taper of the forward portion of a shoe to which they are applied; the provision of a construction as above described'including meansfor positively collapsing the two halves of the forward part of the shoe tree in withdrawingthe shoe tree froma shoe;

the'provision of a construction asab'ove described in which the connection between the exward part of gitudinal displacement with respect to each other; and the provision of a shoe tree including forward 'and'rearward parts interconnected by 1 means of a toggle mechanism which has a novel form of connection with the rearward of such parts.

7 The above'being among the objects of the present invention the same consists in certain novel features of construction and. combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and. then claimed, having the above and other objects inviewl In the accompanying drawings which illustrate;

a suitable embodiment of the presentinven-tion and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout/the several different views,

Fig-.1 1 is a partiallybroken, partially sectioned plan view of my improved shoe treef a Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken transversely of the shoe tree shown in Fig. 1 as on the line 2-2 thereof; i Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 3- -3 of Fig. 1; p

Fig. 4 is a partially broken, partially sec tioned side elevational view of the shoetree shown in Fig. 1, illustrating it in operative expanded relation with respect to ashoe a portion of which is indicated by dot and dash lines; i

4 but illustrat Fig. 5 is a view similarto Fig.

ing the shoe tree in collapsed position;

pending mechanism and the two halves of the forward part of the shoe tree includes a ballend on the expanding mechanism engaged in tapered grooves in the two halves; the provision of a construction as above described'in which the connection between the forward end of the exhalves arranged at an angle to the longitudinal center line of such forward part; the provision of a shoe tree of the general characterabove 'described: including a simple and novel formof meanstfor maintaining the two halves of the for :Fig. 6 is a plan view ofthe forward portion t of the shoe tree shownin the preceding figures and illustrating one extreme position of angular adjustment of the two halves thereof; and,

n Fig. 7 isa View similar to Fig. s but illustrat- 1 ing the opposite extremeposition of angular adjustment of the two halves thereof.

Referring to the'drawings it will be noted that the shoe tree of the present invention includes i a front or forward portion indicated generally at ID, a rear portion indicated generally at 12 and an interconnecting expanding mechanism which may be of any conventional or desirable type but which preferably consists of a toggle link mechanism as shown and indicated generallyat M. The front portion I0 is split vertically and longitudinally thereof into two halves 10a and 10b, respectively, the two halves cooperating to provide a form of approximately thednterior shape of that portion of a shoe in which the tree is intended to be received. The'portion l'2isgenerally circular in cross-sectional configuration and is of more or less plug-like or knob-like shape, its rounded rear end adapted to be more the shoe tree against relatively lonor less loosely received within the rear portion of a shoe in a conventional manner. The toggle mechanism l4 comprises a forward link I6 which is connected to the forward part II] in a manner which will hereinafter be described in'detail, a rear link or member i8 the forward end of which is bifurcated and receives the rear end of the link l6 therein, and a handle portion 20 having a bifurcated lower end in which the forward end the length of the member 18 in order to enable the shoe tree to be adjusted in length to fit different lengths of shoes. Preferably a lock nut 24 threaded on the member I8 is provided for engagement with the forward end of the rear part [2 so as to enable it to be releasably locked in adjusted .position upon the member l8.

In the broader aspects of the invention it will be appreciated that the shoe treeillustrated is adapted to be formedin whole or in part'from any suitable material such as metal, plastic, or other moldable composition, or of wood, and regardless of what material the rearpart l2 and member l8 are formed from broadly it makes no difference how the threaded connection between them is provided. However, and in accordance with a narrower phase of the present invention, where the rear part I2 is formed of wood then it is desirable thatit be provided with a metallic nut part for cooperation with the threads of the part l8. In such 'case, in accordance with one phase of the present invention the rear part I2 is provided with a blind bore which, as best brought out in Fig. 4, extends from the forward end thereof and centrally thereof to a position adjacent but short of the rounded rear end thereof, and .in the forward portion of this bore is fixed a metallic nut 32 having a threaded bore operatively receiving the threads of the member I 8 therein. For the purpose of simplicity and economy the nut 32 is preferably formed in the following manner. The forward portion of the bore 30 is slightly enlarged as at 34. The part [2 is positioned with its axis vertical and its open end upwardly. Then a threaded metal part of the same diameter and pitch ofthreads as the part I8 is projected downwardly into the bore 30 and held concentrically therein. Then molten lead or other suitable metal is pouredinto the enlarged upper end 34 of the bore 30 until the portion 34 is full and has solidified whereupon the threaded member is removed thereby providing the nut 32. The enlarged end 34 may be made irregularin cross-sectional configuration if desired but ordinarily the molten metal will burn sufficiently into the wood of the member I2 to lock the nut against relative movement with respect thereto without resorting to such expe dient. I

The two halves l 0a and l 0b of the forward part ill are maintained against relative longitudinal movement with respect to each other but without unduly restricting relative lateral movement between'them in the following manner. In one of the opposing faces of the two halves Illa and lllb, shown as the half lllb and adjacent the forward end thereof, a blind bore 49 is provided opening into such face between the upper and lower edges thereof adapted to slidably receive a pin fixed in the other of said halves. The bore 40 is of large enough diameter to freely receive the head 42 of a nail 44 therein which nail provides such pin, the nail 44 being driven into the opposite half, shown as the half War, in concentric relation with respect to the bore 40 when the halves Illa and Hlb are in flat contactin relation with respect to each other. The nail 44 is preferably driven into the half [0a a suflicient distance so that when the two halves are urged toward flat contacting relation with respect to each other the head 42 thereof. will not bottom in the bore 40 to such an extent as to hold the forward ends of the parts Illa and [0b laterally away from each other, but it is preferablylocated adjacent the blind end of the bore 40 under such conditions, as shownin Fig. 1. The open end. of the bore 40 is closed by a collar member 46 which ispreferably secured against movement therein by means of a press fit, and through which the body of the nail 44 freely projects to such an extent that the two halves Illa and lflb maybe angularly arranged with respect to each other and with respect to the longitudinal center line without binding of the nail in the bore of the collar 45. It will be observed that not only does the described construction maintain the two halves Illa and lb againstsubstantial relative longitudinal displacement with respect to each other, but it permits them to move freely laterally with respect to each other within the limits of movement of the head42 of the nail 44in the bore 40, as well as to permit relative angular movement between the halves Illa and 3b as described.

The connection between the forward end of the toggle mechanism l4 and the forward part Ill constitutes theimportant feature of the present invention andis as follows. The forward end of the link 16. is provided with a relatively large spherical head or ball 50. As best brought out in Fig. 1 the ball 50 is received between cooperating grooves 52a and 52b formed in the opposed faces of the halves Illa and lflb, respectively, intermediate the ends of the latter. The grooves 52a and 52b'are identical to each other and consequently a description of one will serve as a description of both. The groove 52a as brought out in Fig. 1 is partially circular in transverse section, such section beingtaken in a plane perpendicular to its outer, or upper, edge as viewed in Fig. 1, and the radius of such section is substantially the same as the radius of the ball 50. Such outer edge as viewed in Fig. 1 extends at an angle to the inner face of the member lfla, converging toward such face in a forwardly direction. Its character may be best described by its preferred method of forming which consists in taking a drill of the same diameter as the ball 50 and drilling into the I inner face of the half Illa in a direction parallel with the outer edge of the groove 52a as viewed in Fig. 1 until the point of the drill has become imbedded in the half lta for a distance slightly end in bearing against the walls of the grooves 52a and 52b will cause the halves Ifla and Illb to be separated from one another, in accordance 135, tended to n et r tbeehe i e ,i f t jmfi d h v n .relefi v'e l er 'o uw l l. e se we he mm p rt n .me' sub ei t e y ,fit 'W hQut x n en m O era ng t ggl nmechani m h the position mu in Fig. 5 to thepdjtiofi illustrated in Eig t M114 0 in me n tfio erdb nth w bves cireums taneejs i n order that euhsjt'ehtietlly eeeeeee d e2b;w. lin l r l s e w r fer he sh e t ee e in:-

mly mqve egu el'ly eway frdm each I teee eee em e -.e e eee.ee tem e ee engagement with the interibr surfabes of wil n h d ieen et p a hy j sp ngs' b1" the like as has heretofore been Sug ested t The eeeeeeeeeee thee fer described prdtidesjg he two halves f the tri elle t2 meybe integ i ywith tbenpm to nd still be eeee bleetet beu 50.3Tbe balls s2 in e eyllnd l ic el qpening figl formed in the eeriespe ding half 0g of outwardly epaegi but parallel relation ithre spect tothe axis of the eorrespdnding gro eve 152a and 527). Each groove BA communic ates with itscorresponding groove" 52aor 5% through a central slot 66 exreduced diameter en'd portion of the Pin 60' is slid'ably and rotatably received; the slot 66 being of Iss width than the diameter of the ball 62 so that the balls 62 are confined in their sorre ob'eretm greet/es" 52a and 5212 from e position the ftihg of ither halt th 01* 106 with fesfict t :5 rietien of its engagerrientiwith the wane of the them rece ed-l It ll. h appre ate t Fe a beml ejt t y y I e dumiw eomb e eee for s t ve y? be mg h tw he vee in. he y d sire ures eretekeh-c I tahec'; Slyjna p1 anee with the present tending :between them and in Which theadjacent 'fiondingvhor'e's o1; openings 64. Thus; henever b21311 "5D is withdrawn rearwardly Within the'eo m which the halve's ma dn'd l il bof the front pert l slots 66, and the engagement of the balls 62 with the walls of the openings 64.

Furthermore, in view of the fact that the balls 62 are confined in the bores or openings 64,

they serve through the pin 60 as a means for,

halves lfla and 10b in withdrawing the shoe tree from a shoe, but additionally it maintains the assembly of the links 16 and the halves Illa and I b.

In assembling the forward part of the shoe tree thus described, in manufacture, the pin 60 with theballs 62 thereon is first projected through the ball 50. The nail 44 with the collar 46 thereon is driven into its corresponding half Illa, the balls 62 are introduced into their respective bores 64 at the forward ends thereof and the two halves Illa and Iiib are then moved forwardly with the balls 52 riding back in their respective bores or openings 64, the forward ends of the halves a and lb being separated from one another at this time. The head 32 of the nail 44 is then introduced into the bore 40, the collar 46 is guided into the outer end of the bore 40 and the two halves "la and Ilib are then pressed toward one another to force the collar 46 into its final position, whereupon the assembly of the forward end of the shoe tree is completed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim by Letters Patent is:

1. In a shoe tree of the class wherein there is a longitudinally split front part forming two halves and a rear parthand means are provided connecting said parts and cooperating therewith to control the spacing of said parts, the combination with said front part and means, of a head on the forward end of said means, said halves of said front part being formed to provide opposed grooves extending longitudinally thereof in forwardly converging relation on either side of the line of split between them and receiving said head therein for swiveling movement with respect to said halves, and means cooperating be tween said halves tending to maintain said head in contact with the walls of said grooves.

2. In a shoe tree of the class wherein there is a longitudinally split front part forming two halves and a rear part, and means are provided connecting said parts and cooperating therewith to control the spacing of said parts, the combination with said front part and means, of a ball formed on the forward end of said means, said halves of said front part being formed to provide opposed grooves extendinglongitudinally thereof at an angle to the plane of said split and receiving said ball therein, and means cooperating between said halves tending to positively maintain said ball in contact with the walls of said groove during contraction of said halves from expanded condition.

3. In a shoe tree of the class wherein there is a longitudinally split front part forming two halves and a rear part, and means are provided said split and receiving said ball therein, the radius of the sectional curvature of said grooves being substantially equal to the radius of curvature of said ball, and means cooperating between said halves tending to positively maintain said ball in contact with the walls of said groove during contraction of said halves from expanded condition. g

4. In a shoe tree of the class wherein there is a longitudinally split front part forming two halves and a rear part, and means are provided 7 connecting said parts and cooperating therewith connecting said parts and cooperating therewith to control the spacing of said parts, the combination with said front part and means, of a head on the forward end of said means, said halves of.

said front part being formed to provide opposed grooves extending longitudinally thereof in forwardly converging relation on either side of the line of split between them and receiving said head therein for swiveling movement with re- I ing said grooves.

, 5. In a shoe tree of the class wherein there is a longitudinally split front part forming two halves and a rear part, and means are provided connecting said parts and cooperating therewith to control the spacing of said parts, the combination with said front part and means, of a ball formed on the forward end of said means, said halves of said front part being formed to provide opposed grooves extending longitudinally thereof at an angle to the plane of said split and receiving said ball therein, and means cooperating between said halves tending to maintain said ball in contact with the walls of said groove comprising a pin projecting through said ball transversely of said plane of. split and longitudinally slidable in said ball, a ball formed on each end of said member, and each of said halves being provided with an opening arranged in parallelism with the axis of said groove therein in laterally outwardly spaced relation with respect to said groove, each said opening having a restricted slotted communication with its corresponding said groove, the balls on. said members being received in the corresponding of said openvings and said members slidably projecting through said slots communicating said openings and said grooves.

6. In a shoe tree of the class wherein there is a longitudinally split front part forming two halves and a rear 'part, and means are provided connecting said parts andlcooperating therewith to control the spacing of said parts, the combination with said front part and means, of a head on the forward end of said means, said halves of said front part being formed to provide opposed grooves extending longitudinally thereof in forwardly converging relation on either side of the line of split between them and receiving said head therein for swiveling movement with respect to said halves, means coopcrating between said halves tending to maintain said head in contact with the walls of said grooves, and means cooperating between said halves maintaining them against substantial g v 2,371, 90 longitudinal displacement with respect to each other comprising pin means fixed with respect to one of said halves and projecting perpen- Srespect to said halvesr means cooperating be? tween said halves tending to maintain said head dicularly with respect to the planeof said split between said halves and longitudinally slidably received in the other of said halves. l

"I. In a shoe tree of the class wherein there is a longitudinally split front part forming two halves and a rear part, and means are provided connecting said parts and cooperating therewith to control the spacing of said parts, the combination with said front part and means, of a head on the forward end of said means, said halves of said front part being formed to provide opposed grooves extending longitudinally thereof in forwardly converging relation on either side of the line of split between them and receiving said head therein for swiveling movement with til in contact (with the walls of said grooves, means cooperating between said halves maintaining them against substantial longitudinal displacement with respectto each other comprising pin meansfixed with respect to one of said halves and projecting perpendicularly with respect to the plane of said split between said halves, the

other of said halves having a bore opening into that face thereofop'posed to said one of said halves and'perpendicular to said plane of split,

said pin being slidably receivedin said bore, a

head on s'aidpin within said bore, and a collar surrounding said-pin in the open endof said bore cooperable with said headto prevent inadvertent a "withdrawal ofs aid pin from said bore.

GEORGE R. HARRISON. 

